Silver Coast of Portugal celebrates The International Surfing Day

“The Baleal Surf Fest - Surf, Music and Art Festival” will take place on the 19th and 20th of June, in Praia do Baleal, an initiative that seeks to mark the International Day of Surfing, which is celebrated next Saturday all over the world. At the same time the municipality seeks to "draw attention to the need to the preservation of oceans with special attention to problems that affect whales and dolphins.

During the two days there will be various activities related to the surf sport, culture and lifestyle in general, but especially the environment. The main activities include the surf clinic - free for all ages, art exhibitions, video and photo displays about the conservation of whales and dolphins, workshops aimed at teaching locals how to keep our beaches clean and musical concerts.

The Baleal Surf Fest also includes "1st Paddle to Peniche Championship," to be held on June 20th around 11:30 where contestants paddle on a surfboard around the island of Baleal (approximately 2 kms) in the shortest time possible. It promises to be a great event with something for everyone. You can’t go wrong with an event on one of our beautiful beaches on the Silver Coast.

By Ricardo Santo

Have you heard of the ‘Blue Flag Programme’?

The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label awarded to over 3200 beaches and marinas in 37 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean. The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services. The Blue Flag Programme includes environmental education and information for the public, decision makers and tourism operators.

The criteria for being awarded with a blue flag are as follows.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION

WATER QUALITY

SAFETY AND SERVICES

Portugal was awarded 383 blue flags last year, with evaluations done on the 5th June every year, it looks like that number is set to increase while there has been a decrease in the amount of blue flag beaches and marinas in the UK. It was announced today that 15 beaches have already been awarded blue flags here on The Silver Coast, in places like Nazare and Foz De Arelho, with more flags set to go up this week visitors are guaranteed a refreshing, clean and healthy swim on our beaches this summer.

By Dylan Herholdt